Don't get too comfortable with your mandate in Melaka, Bersatu Youth tells Akmal
PETALING JAYA: Melaka needs leaders who solve the people's problems instead of squabbling, says Bersatu Youth.
Its information chief Harris Idaham Rashid said there was dissatisfaction on the ground with the recent back-and-forth between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan over seat sharing in next year's state election.
He also advised Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh not to "get too comfortable" with the mandate the party received in the 2021 state polls, as the political landscape had changed.
"The people want leaders who don't just criticise and fight among themselves, but who find solutions to the problems faced by the public," he said in a statement on Monday (May 19).
He said support for Perikatan Nasional had surged in the state, as seen in the GE15 results in 2022 when the coalition won in Umno strongholds like Jasin, where Dr Akmal is division chief.
In 2021, Barisan secured a two-thirds majority in the state assembly, winning 21 out of 28 seats. Pakatan won five and Perikatan, two.
In GE15, however, Barisan lost in every parliamentary seat it contested in Melaka. Pakatan won three of the six seats, with Perikatan taking the remaining three.
Earlier this month, nine DAP branches in the state proposed a 14-14 seat sharing formula between Barisan and Pakatan in the next Melaka election.
Akmal had reportedly rejected the idea outright, telling his unity government colleagues to "dream on".
Last week, Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said seat discussions should be left to the top leadership and besides, the Melaka polls are only due next year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Chatter builds over possible return to Umno by Khairy
PETALING JAYA: Speculation is mounting over the possible return of former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, as political observers remain divided on whether his comeback would reinvigorate or disrupt the party's current course. Some believe it could help modernise Umno's image and appeal, while others warn of internal resistance and lingering distrust among party members. Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research, Prof Dr Azmi Hassan described the rumours as a strategic move, likely initiated by his supporters, to test party sentiment and assess the response of grassroots. 'The speculation may be a calculated effort from his camp to gauge public and internal reactions,' Azmi told theSun in a WhatsApp reply. Azmi said many grassroots members still view Khairy and others who have left or been suspended from the party as disloyal for their past criticisms of the party leadership. 'For me, the grassroots reaction to their return is negative because they are seen as having betrayed the party. While they were outside, they attacked the leadership. Even among the Umno supreme council members, there is reluctance to accept their return.' Khairy remains a popular figure, particularly among urban and younger voters, said Azmi, but he questioned whether the popularity could translate into electoral success for Umno and its coalition partner, Barisan Nasional (BN). 'Support from outside the party is important, but the question is whether that can be turned into actual votes and renewed confidence in Umno and BN.' Political commentator Shahbudin Husin said Khairy is not the only figure whose return is being discussed. He said former Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was suspended in early 2023 along with several others for breaching party discipline, also has strong backing. 'There are rumours that Khairy is planning a return, but there are also other former leaders such as Hishammuddin who deserve to be reinstated. Their return could help strengthen Umno as they command significant following.' However, he emphasised that any return must come with meaningful reforms, urging the party to hold internal elections before the 16th General Election (GE16). 'If Umno is serious about change, there must be party elections before GE16. If Hishammuddin and Khairy return but hold no positions, it would signal no real shift to the public. 'Bringing them back should not stop at just the two. All suspended or expelled leaders should be considered, followed by a proper mandate through elections.' Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian believes that Khairy and Hishammuddin have proven themselves through their past contributions to Umno and the country. 'Both leaders are seen as bringing progressive leadership. They are credible and respected across the political divide. 'Urban voters, professionals and fence-sitters may see them as role models, thanks to their articulate messaging and appeal to the youth.' Sivamurugan stressed that the current leadership must be reassured that any return is based on loyalty and a shared vision, not personal ambition. Khairy, the former MP for Rembau and former health minister, was sacked from Umno in January 2023, while Hishammuddin, the Sembrong MP, was suspended for breaching party discipline. Umno performed poorly in the last general election, winning only 27 parliamentary seats. Khairy narrowly lost the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat, a Pakatan Harapan stronghold, to then newly appointed PKR vice-president R. Ramanan in a seven-way contest.
Malaysiakini
9 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Umno veterans tell Dr M to stop acting like a 'rogue hantu raya'
Umno Veterans Club has told Dr Mahathir Mohamad to stop playing the role of a 'rogue hantu raya' following his renewed push to unite the Malays under a new umbrella movement. Its secretary-general Mustapha Yaakub reminded the former premier that Umno members would not be deceived by the formation of a so-called Malay secretariat committee. 'Mahathir was the one who
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
MCMC keeping a close watch on online e-cigarette sales
PUTRAJAYA: The sale of e-cigarette products, including vapes, on social media platforms is being closely monitored by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic). Fahmi revealed that many of these transactions are occurring on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. 'Through the MCMC, the Communications Ministry is actively monitoring the online sale of e-cigarette products, especially on social media platforms,' he said during a post-Cabinet press conference yesterday. 'God willing, the MCMC will prepare a report which my ministry will present to the Cabinet for further discussion,' he said when asked whether the Federal Government intends to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, including vapes. As for a review of existing laws governing the sale of such products, Fahmi said: 'This matter comes under the Health Ministry, but from the Communications Ministry's perspective, MCMC continues to monitor the situation online.' Several states, including Johor, Kelantan and Terengganu, have already banned the sale of e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, Fahmi confirmed that neither the position of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz in the Cabinet nor Umno's request to retain all seven of its ministerial posts was discussed in the Cabinet meeting. Tengku Zafrul recently submitted his resignation from Umno and expressed his intention to join PKR. Following Tengku Zafrul's departure, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party is requesting to retain its seven Cabinet positions, as Umno would otherwise be left with only six ministers. On another matter, Fahmi said the proposed move to make it mandatory for parents to monitor their children's online activity under the Online Safety Act will be further detailed by a dedicated committee. He said the formation of the Online Safety Committee, under the purview of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, is a key step in enforcing the legislation. 'It will play a crucial role in determining what constitutes 'online harm' and how it should be addressed under the law,' he said. On June 2, Azalina had said the government was reviewing existing legal provisions to introduce clearer responsibilities for parents and guardians to prevent child abuse and neglect.
